Military

FOX 13 news anchor Mark WIlson visited Normandy on the 80th anniversary of D-Day. Here are some photos of the memorable trip.

The faces of local military service men and women who've tragically died by suicide surrounded one of the rinks at Advent Health Center Ice this weekend, as players for the Lightning Warriors rallied through 22 hours of non-stop hockey in their honor.

A 98-year-old WWII vet from Pasco County, who joined the Army after watching footage of D-Day in a movie theater is among veterans from the Bay Area attending D-Day anniversary memorial events. 

A different generation of Americans and veterans took to the beaches of Normandy this week. They want to make sure the bravery and sacrifice of those American soldiers back in 1944 are never forgotten.

On this 80th anniversary of the D-Day invasion, FOX 13 salutes the Tampa Bay soldiers who played a role in turning the tide in World War II. Among the 9,387 American soldiers buried at the Normandy American Cemetery in France is a 19-year-old soldier from St. Petersburg, Private Leo Chalcraft.

Reflection brings emotion on the very sands where Cosmo Uttero nearly died 80 years ago. The 100-year-old Bradenton veteran willfully harkens back to his days as a wide-eyed teenager who dropped out of high school his junior year to support Allied forces that were losing in Europe.

On this 80th anniversary of D-Day, FOX 13 honors our veterans who played a role in turning the tide of the war. While a half dozen Bay Area veterans are in France, one particular soldier named Wilson is credited with saving dozens of lives that day by simply disobeying an order.

They are living history. Testaments to the greatest generation. Six Tampa Bay area veterans who served in World War II are guests of the Florida Elks Association, taking them from Tampa to Normandy, France to witness a world saying thanks.

Thursday will mark the 80th anniversary of the D-Day Invasion, and ahead of the milestone, Tampa veterans are traveling to France to attend commemoration ceremonies in Normandy.

The end of the school year can mean bittersweet goodbyes to teachers and education leaders who have made a difference. For many students at East Pasco Education Academy in Dade City, that person is school social worker, Michael Brooks.

This Memorial Day is one that's been more than 80 years in the making for the family of a fallen World War II Airman 2nd. Lt. Pharis Weekley, whose remains weren't identified until last year.

Several Gold Star families, who lost loved ones to war, gathered Monday at the Gold Star Families Memorial Monument at MacDill Park in Tampa for a Memorial Day ceremony honoring their sacrifices.

The Lakeland community came together this Memorial Day to remember those who have been lost to combat.

Bowlers to Veterans Link has existed since 1942. Throughout all the years of BVL, they raised $57 million to help brighten the lives of veterans every single day.

In front of a monument with his son's name etched into it, at Veteran's Memorial Park in Tampa, Oldsmar native Craig Gross took out his guitar and sang a special song he sings often on Memorial Day weekend.

It was a motorcade fit for a president with Jose Santiago and his family at the center.